SXSW Interactive Startup Village®

Startup Village launched at the 2012 SXSW Interactive Festival and consolidates all of the entrepreneur-related Interactive programming into one venue, the Hilton Downtown Austin immediately across the street from the Austin Convention Center.

In Startup Village, you’ll find panel sessions covering topics like startup funding, startup ecosystems, and entrepreneurial best practices. In 2015 we introduced a Collegiate Track featuring startup-related panels and pitch events from some of the nation’s most forward-thinking schools. In 2015, Startup Village also launched the Global Connections track with panel sessions highlighting an array of global entrepreneurial ideas, trends and startup ecosystems.

Startup Village is also the home of SXSW Accelerator our signature startup competition in its 8th year that happens Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13, and ReleaseIt at SXSW, a pitch event on Friday, March 11 for companies launching during the SXSW season.

Bottom line: If you are an entrepreneur, a startup, an investor, or just someone curious about this fascinating ecosystem, then Startup Village is the place for you!

WHERE
Startup Village occurs on the 4th floor of the Hilton Downtown Austin (500 East 4th Street).

WHEN
Friday, March 11 through Tuesday, March 15

WHO
Startup Village is open to all SXSW Interactive, Gold and Platinum badge holders.
On Tuesday, March 15, SXSW Music badge holders can also attend Startup Village programming.

WHAT
Startup Village consists of Panels, Meet Ups, Demos, Lounges, Activations, and is home of the SXSW Accelerator startup competition, Startup Spotlight – all activities geared towards entrepreneurs and startups.

SXSW ACCELERATOR

The eighth annual SXSW Accelerator startup competition will take place at SXSW Startup Village on Saturday, March 12 and Sunday, March 13. This event showcases the most forwarding-thinking and relevant technology startups and is a must-see/must-participate event.

STARTUP SPOTLIGHT

The Startup Spotlight shines a light on some of the most innovative new companies at SXSW Startup Village. Participants demo their product, service or app in the pre-function area of the Hilton Downtown Austin. Apply today to secure your slot in this truly “interactive” event.

RELEASEIT AT SXSW

ReleaseIt at SXSW is a special pitch competition in Startup Village on the opening day of the SXSW Interactive Festival, Friday, March 11. Ten cutting-edge companies launching a new product or service during the 2016 SXSW season will present to a panel of industry experts and a winner is chosen based on which product or service is most likely to succeed in the marketplace. Back to top

STARTUP COLLEGIATE TRACK

SXSW Interactive Startup Village introduced a new Collegiate Track in 2015 to showcase educational institutes with programs focusing on startups and entrepreneurial endeavors. The sessions were a huge success and we’ll be featuring more of this brilliant content in 2016. Come find out what’s hot in the innovative collegiate space! Back to top

GLOBAL CONNECTIONS

Through a variety of programming and networking events, the Global Connections program track takes an in-depth look at the possibilities and problems facing creative tech industries throughout the world. If you are a startup, entrepreneur, or investor interested in international markets, Global Connections at Startup Village is the place to learn and connect. Back to top

SXSW STARTUP AUSTIN

Attend this unique Startup Village track of programming to hear from Austin-area startups and entrepreneurial leadership to learn about new technology trends in our local startup ecosystem. Visit the Startup Austin page for complete details.

MUSIC STARTUP VILLAGE

SXSW Music Startup Village also takes place in the Hilton Downtown Austin and features the startups, entrepreneurs, investors, and cutting-edge digital tastemakers in music technology. SXSW Interactive, Gold, and Platinum and Music badge holders may attend this program on Tuesday, March 15. For more info, go here.

FILM AND TV STARTUPS

SXSW Film badges are allowed entry to rounds one and two of the Entertainment and Content Technologies category of SXSW Accelerator, as well as the SXSW Accelerator Awards Reception. Also, if you have an innovative technology startup that has a focus in the Music, Television, and/or Film Industry, then please apply to the SXSW Accelerator event within the Entertainment and Content category.